Periscope

Issue date: 2/6/09 Section: Art & Entertainment

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For senior music majors Rachel Roby and Justin Davis, talent is something no one can question since their recent awards say otherwise.

Roby's success came in the form of her beautiful voice, while Davis's success came from his outstanding leadership ability.
Roby recently took first place in the Southern division competition for vocal performance and received the Young Artist division of MTNA award at the same time.

The competition was held at Virginia State University in Petersburg, Virginia where Roby had to sing 25 minutes worth of music, which were composed of eight songs in front of three judges.

"I am really excited about the honors," said Roby. "I feel so blessed in getting this opportunity."

Now Roby will get the chance to compete at Nationals, which are held in Atlanta, Georgia on March 30.

Roby's friends are taking notice of her accomplishments, especially sophomore, Emily Tweedy.

"Rachel is talented, always works hard and is one of the least arrogant people I know," said Tweedy.

Roby is described as being a very humble individual who works hard at her singing and always gives her all in every performance.

"Rachel is very humble about winning and when I found out she won I new it was big," said junior Tre Appleby.

After Roby graduates from Shorter, she plans to audition for graduate school to earn her masters in vocal performance.

Just one year ago Phi Mu Alpha was a fading fraternity dwindling away, but senior Justin Davis has begun the revival of this once great fraternity.

At a Phi Mu Alpha workshop at Georgia College and State University, Davis received the Olin G. Parker award for showing great leadership in reviving the fraternity.

"I am humbled by the award," said Davis. "This shows no good deed goes unnoticed."

According to Davis, Phi Mu Alpha was down to about two to three members, but since last year, Davis has helped rebuild this fraternity by recruiting people from all over Shorter.

Dr. Martha Shaw, professor of music, believes Davis's leadership shows what kind of person he truly is.

"He is one of the finest citizens in our department," said Shaw. "Most of all we love him dearly."

The students around Shorter are also taking notice of the honor Davis has received in Phi Mu Alpha.

"His award is highly well deserved," said freshman, Eric Graise. "Justin pulled that fraternity out of the ground."

Senior Jennifer Tripi also believes the honor means a lot to Davis by showing what a good work ethic he has.
"The award validates his hard work in bringing Phi Mu Alpha back to Shorter," said Tripi.

Davis plans to continue the recruiting process and bring this once forgotten fraternity back into the minds of Shorter students and to keep being a leader for Shorter's music.

Dr. Alan Wingard, Dean of the School of the Arts, thinks both of these students represent what Shorter music is about.
Said Wingard: "They are nptj remarkable students and represent what kind of training program we have at Shorter."

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